What to do in an emergency

There is no ER for Mini Pigs currently in Anchorage or the Wasilla/Palmer area, however Dr. Neu can provide after hours care. Please establish a relationship with one of the vets, educate yourself as much as possible and be vigilant! Pigs are very curious and love to explore. See our Education pages to learn about how life with a pig can be an adventure! 

The following symptoms are emergent situations and require immediate veterinary services:

• Your pig will not eat or drink
• Your pig will not move or having a lot of trouble moving
• Your pig is shaking violently
• Your pig is moving in circles & has a head tilt
• Your pig is having trouble breathing
• Your pig is vomiting blood or having bloody diarrhea
• Your pigs body temp is below 99 or above 104
• Your pregnant pig has been pushing hard for an hour with no progress
• You can see a piglet or part of piglet in the vaginal canal with no progression

ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Hotline 1-800-548-2423 ( available 24/7) - there is a fee, have your card ready 

First aid supplies to have until you can get the vet:

We highly recommend weighing your pig frequently, especially in their first year. Most exotic vet clinics will let you use the scale for free. Your pigs weight is very important not only for how much to feed them, but also so in an emergency situation, medicine can be administered more quickly and accurately. 

General Equipment

• A digital rectal thermometer specifically for pigs
• Syringes of different sizes
• Bandaging supplies (gauze or vet wrap, cotton squares, masking tape)
• Potty pads
• Q-tips & vaseline
• A fan for cooling
• Ice packs (or bags of frozen veggies, though these might get eaten)
• Athletic socks or dog booties, to cover feet
• SAD light 

Low Appetite/Low Body temp

• Apple juice - add to water for pigs who won't drink plain water, good for hiding medicine
• Low sodium vegetable soup or vegetable/chicken broth
• Applesauce - also good for hiding medicine
• Karo Syrup - 
• Sugar - 1 tsp in a glass on warm water
• Instant oatmeal
• Honey
• Baby food pouches, veggies & fruit flavors - make sure to check for any ingredients not ideal for pigs, but in general they will have no salt and keep for a long time. 
• A heating pad, set on low. With the cord as some piggies love to unplug things

Constipation

Exercise is excellent for preventing constipation, but the long winters can make it hard to keep pigs occupied. Please see our Caring For Your Mini Pig page for more information.

• Instant Oatmeal
• Root vegetables
• Canned pumpkin

Hoof Trimming

Contact Moe's Mini Pig Services-specialized in non-sedation hoof/tusk trimming.  Visit them on FaceBook or Online for more details or contact Sheila 907-232-2880

If you choose to trim your pigs nails at home, here are a few things to have on hand. Please visit our Caring For Your Mini Pig page for more information on hoof trimming:

• Kwik Stop, styptic powder - stops bleeding if you miss the nail, DO NOT use on skin, it causes burns